Before signing with the 49ers this offseason, the club was well aware of his off-the-field issues.

While with the Minnesota Vikings, Simpson was suspended the first three games of the 2012 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. He was later released by the club days before he was expected to return from his second three-game suspension, this time "for misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession, driving with an open bottle and violating limited license restrictions after he was pulled over."